Four more schools in Huntington will participate in the girls flag football program, joining Walt Whitman High School, which won the Suffolk County title last year.
Joining are Huntington, Harborfields, Northport and Half Hollow Hills.
Northport High School senior Ella Piscatello earned three recognitions from the 100th Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She received honorable mentions in both the dramatic script category and personal essay and memoir category and earned the Gold Key award for her critical essay, titled “Every Book is for Someone.”
Gold Key works advance to the national level, with winners being announced March 22. Her winning essay, originally written in her creative writing course with teacher Michael Beskin, described her thoughts on the recent increase in schools and communities banning books. “I think that while not every book is for everyone, I do think that every book is for someone. Limiting that for someone can be extremely harmful to society,” she said.
Her personal essay “Along for the Ride” was about how overthinking can hinder people in their lives as told through her fear of rollercoasters. Her dramatic script, titled “Snap” was about the recent rise in sextortion amongst high school students and the overall increase in young adults using social media and technology at a younger age. Independent of these awards, Ella already earned recognition last May when her play “Moment” was selected for the Young Playwright’s Festival. That opportunity turned her script into a one-act play for production at the EngemanTheatre.
Northport school district photo
Recognition for Wrestler
Elwood-John H. Glenn High School wrestler Melkin Chavez, a senior captain and returning Suffolk County champion at 285 pounds, was recently named the NYSPHSAA Section XI Sportsmanship Award winner.
“Melkin has been a great leader for our program and was voted by our team to represent Suffolk County as our sportsmanship winner,” coach TJ Brocking said.
Master Teacher Designation
Walt Whitman High School teacher John Karaviashas has earned the title of NYS Master Teacher.
According to The State University of New York, “The NYS Master Teacher Program network consists of outstanding teachers recognized for their dedication to providing the most innovative STEM education to their students, their commitment to professional growth, and their enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues in their schools, districts, and regions.”
He has taught research and marine biology for more than 22 years, allofitat Walt Whitman High School.
Karavias has had his work published, including climate change research he pursued in Alaska. His research experiences with Columbia and the University of Rhode Island, along with traveling abroad on educational excursions, has allowed him to gain scientific knowledge that he uses in his teaching. “I don’t just teach science, I like to do science,” is a line Karavias shared in describing his teaching style. He finds that the best way to teach new material to his students is by bringing firsthand experiences into the classroom, and bringing real world applications to what they are learning.
Karavias has also worked as an adjunct professor, teaching biology at CW Post, as well as teaching online courses for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. His wide array of knowledge, from marine biology and fish diversity, to ecology and the solar system, makes his lessons interesting and engaging for both his students and colleagues.
John Karavias/SHUFSD photo
Internship With Assemblyman Brown
Assemblyman Keith P. Brown, R,C-Northport, is inviting students to register for his “Our Future Leaders” Spring 2023 Internship Program, which will take place at the assemblyman’s district office. It is open to high school and college students,
“Times are difficult right now for New Yorkers,” said Brown. “Now more than ever, we need to encourage young leaders to step up and provide new ideas and insight to help improve our communities. I was an intern for New York State Sen. Norman J. Levy in the spring of 1990, and that guidance helped me become a better public speaker and leader for my constituents.”
The application closes March 3. Applications must be submitted to [email protected]. The selected students will take part in the program for 14 weeks beginning March 20, and ending on June 16.